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How to grow and achieve three times bigger size in eggplant fruits

East Africa Seed Company Agronomist Obed Kamoni working at the firm’s demonstration farm during a past agricultural event.

Eggplant fruit farmers can grow and achieve three times bigger fruits than the current size to harvest a total of at least 16 tonnes per acre in three months thanks to best agronomical practices that can enable the producers to grow the crop for high-end hotels and markets in Kenya.

According to Obed Kamoni, agronomist at East Africa Seed Company most eggplant fruits currently weigh from 100g to 300g and though the eggplants look like fragile, they can tolerate adverse climate to give fruits of 700g to one kilogramme.

This can be achieved by following some of the best agronomical practices.

After the seedlings have to be sprayed with a pesticide like Vegimax mixed with Vacotine to kill cutworms, mites, whiteflies and other insects than can cut or mine the juice from the tender crops.

The pesticides should be applied after 14 days, although at times infestation can determine the frequency.

Mulching is key in cutting costs of irrigation. It retains the moisture in the soil while smothering weeds. Minimum tillage because of the mulch ensures that soil is least disturbed and the microbes inside work ‘peacefully’ to convert organic matter into ready nutrients for use.

Top-dress with calcium ammonium phosphate (CAN) after one month.

As the plants start flowering Swift or any other bee friendly insecticide must be applied; bees are important in pollination of the eggplants.

Swift insecticide also kills insects that drill holes into the fruits.

Topaz should be spayed to the crops to cushion them against cold weather.

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